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Testing a Crypto Exchange: Key Things to Understand

If you're a QA stepping into the crypto world, testing a Centralized Exchange (CEX) platform is both exciting and challenging.

This post walks you through key concepts and areas you must understand before testing a CEX platform effectively:

🧠 What is a CEX?

CEX stands for Centralized Exchange, a type of cryptocurrency platform where users create an account, go through identity verification (KYC), and perform trading directly through the system controlled by the exchange.


🧩 Key Modules Testers Should Understand in a CEX

Here are the core flows you'll most likely be testing:

1. 🧾 Account & Authentication

  • Sign up, login, reset password
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
  • Session/token management
  • Rate limiting (prevent brute force attacks)

2. 🧍 KYC Verification

  • Upload documents: ID card, passport, selfie
  • Different KYC levels and statuses (Pending / Approved / Rejected)
  • Validations for file format, size, clarity
  • Error handling and notification messages

Example Test: What happens if I upload a blurry passport photo? Is the rejection reason clear?

3. 💰 Wallet & Balance

  • Deposit & withdrawal flows
  • Balance updates in real-time
  • Display of available vs frozen funds
  • Blockchain transaction hash display

Example Test: Does the wallet balance update correctly after a failed withdrawal?

4. 📈 Trading Engine

  • Placing Market / Limit / Stop orders
  • Order book updates in real-time
  • Slippage handling and fee calculation
  • Cancel / Edit open orders

Example Test: What if I place a Market Buy with insufficient balance?

5. 🧮 Market Info & Charts

  • Price updates and volume display
  • Real-time candlestick charts
  • Refresh behavior and chart syncing

6. 🔐 Security

  • Password rules, session timeouts
  • Detect suspicious behavior (e.g. multiple logins)
  • Frontend and API error masking (no sensitive info leaked)

🧪 What Makes Testing CEX Platforms Unique?

Unlike typical e-commerce or web apps, CEX platforms involve real money, fast-paced transactions, and legal compliance. That means:

✅ Small bugs = big risks (funds may be lost)

✅ Real-time testing is crucial (prices, balances, trades)

✅ Tester must understand both UI and business logic

✅ Need for test data planning (fake KYC, sandbox wallets)


💡 Final Thoughts

Testing a crypto exchange like Coin12 isn’t just about checking buttons and forms. It’s about thinking like a real user, understanding financial flows, and making sure everything works safely and accurately.

The more you understand the business logic behind trading, the more valuable you’ll become as a QA in this field.

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